Movable electronic flame-off device for a bonding apparatus

Abstract

A bonding apparatus is provided that comprises a bonding tool for bonding wire onto an electronic device secured by a clamping device. The clamping device is locatable at a first position to clamp the electronic device during bonding and a second position at a raised height to release the electronic device for indexing. A flame-off torch is locatable adjacent to the bonding tool and is operative to produce sparks to melt a tip of the wire for bonding. An actuator is further provided that is operative to lower the flame-off torch close to the electronic device during bonding and to raise the flame-off torch away from the electronic device during indexing so as to provide a height clearance between the flame-off torch and the clamping device at its second position.

1 . Bonding apparatus comprising:
 a bonding tool for bonding wire onto an electronic device secured by a clamping device, wherein the clamping device is locatable at a first position to clamp the electronic device during bonding and a second position at a raised height to release the electronic device for indexing;   a flame-off torch that is locatable adjacent to the bonding tool and is operative to produce sparks to melt a tip of the wire for bonding;   an actuator operative to lower the flame-off torch close to the electronic device during bonding and to raise the flame-off torch away from the electronic device during indexing so as to provide a height clearance between the flame-off torch and the clamping device at its second position.   
     
     
         2 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operative to maintain the flame-off torch at a fixed height close to the electronic device during bonding of multiple positions on the electronic device. 
     
     
         3 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is operative to move the flame-off torch to a height that is at or below a top surface of the clamping device during bonding. 
     
     
         4 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator to which the electronic flame-off device is coupled for vertical motion. 
     
     
         5 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a voice coil motor. 
     
     
         6 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a pivot located between the flame-off torch and the linear actuator for pivotally mounting the flame-off torch with respect to the linear actuator. 
     
     
         7 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a position feedback sensor to monitor a position of the flame-off torch. 
     
     
         8 . Bonding apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the flame-off torch is positionable to multiple programmable heights within a travel range of the flame-off torch during operation. 
     
     
         9 . A method for bonding an electronic device with wire using a bonding tool, comprising the steps of:
 clamping the electronic device with a clamping device;   activating an actuator to lower a flame-off torch adjacent to the bonding tool close to the electronic device for producing sparks to melt a tip of the wire for bonding;   bonding the electronic device with the bonding tool;   lifting the clamping device to a raised height to release the electronic device for indexing; and simultaneously   activating the actuator to raise the flame-off torch away from the electronic device so as to provide a height clearance between the flame-off torch and the raised clamping device during indexing.   
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the flame-off torch is maintained at a fixed height close to the electronic device during bonding of multiple positions on the electronic device. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the flame-off torch is maintained at a height that is at or below a top surface of the clamping device during bonding. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator to which the electronic flame-off device is coupled for vertical motion. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the linear actuator comprises a voice coil motor. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein is the flame-off torch is moved pivotally with respect to the linear actuator during motion. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising the step of monitoring a position of the flame-off torch with a position feedback sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning the flame-off torch to multiple programmable heights within a travel range of the flame-off torch during operation.